News

FirstRand’s quiet heroes honoured in Johannesburg

11 November 2010

In the last year, teams of volunteers from various FirstRand business units have been very, very busy.

They sponsored and assisted with the planting of a permaculture garden for a community living on a rubbish dump in Mooiplaas. Community volunteers were taught how to make their own compost and grow their own vegetables.  Orphans have been sponsored for a full season of rugby coaching and received assistance from a maths tutor to help improve their results.  200 Grade 11 and 12 learners across Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape have attended a Lifeskills and Mentorship programmes in each province, every Saturday morning, for 26 weeks.

Over and above this, 4 500 employees participated in a an environmental awareness campaign, over 104 volunteers funded and co-ordinated a Schools Soccer Fun Day at the Chris Hani Stadium in Orange Farm and purchased soccer kits for all 420 children from 25 schools.  During May and June, 77 000 cans of food and over 4 800 blankets were donated to the needy.

This work has been motivated and encouraged by the FirstRand Volunteers Programme, who honoured these employees last night at the 4th Chairman’s Volunteer Recognition Awards in Johannesburg.

Brownwyn van der Westhuizen was presented with the Exceptional Individual Award for her commitment and support of the Berea-Hillbrow Home of Hope.

The Exceptional Team Award went to the RMB Team for their work at the Diepsloot Combined School.

Other awards include the Exceptional Pre/Primary School Initiative, to WesBank for their support of the Bottom Primary School in Slovoville, and the Exceptional CEO/Manager Support award, to Ebi Patel from CEO of FNB Islamic Finance for encouraging a strong culture of volunteering and community support in his team.

The FirstRand Volunteers Programme is a unique project comprised of staff from each of the company’s divisions.  The programme boasts a remarkable 22% participation rate, with staff donating their time or portions of their salaries completely voluntarily.  Since the launch of the programme in 2003, over R15,4 million has been contributed in both time and money to charity organisations selected by employees.  This amount has been matched rand-for-rand by FirstRand.

“œOur Awards evenings recognise the enthusiasm and dedication of our employees, who have taken an active role in contributing towards positive change and development in South Africa,” says Desiree Storey, manager of the Programme.

FirstRand CEO, Sizwe Nxasana says, “œPeople in our various business units and branches have been pulling together to work with their charity partners in surrounding communities with acts of quiet heroism.  This effort is unheralded by any brand or commercial campaign.  It is the stuff of a deep patriotism, and FirstRand are humbled by its momentum.”